Author Truman Capote earns the wrath of New York’s high society after unveiling devastating secrets in the official trailer for FX’s FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans. The second installment in Ryan Murphy’s FEUD anthology series focuses on the author’s relationship with the mega-rich women who run NYC and what happens when their hard-earned trust is shattered.
Tom Hollander leads the cast as Truman Capote. Naomi Watts plays Barbara “Babe” Paley, Diane Lane is Slim Keith, Chloë Sevigny is C.Z. Guest, and Calista Flockhart plays Lee Radziwill. Demi Moore stars as Ann “Bang-Bang” Woodward, Molly Ringwald is Joanne Carson, Treat Williams is Bill Paley, Joe Mantello is Jack Dunphy, and Russell Tovey is John O’Shea.
Season two of FEUD is based on Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. Jon Robin Baitz adapted the book for the series, with Gus Van Sant, Max Winkler, and Jennifer Lynch directing. Ryan Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Baitz, Van Sant, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Naomi Watts, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson serve as executive producers.
Tom Hollander as Truman Capote in ‘FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans’ (Photo CR: Pari Dukovic/FX)
FX offers this description of the new season:
“Acclaimed writer Truman Capote surrounded himself with a coterie of society’s most elite women – rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York – whom he nicknamed ‘the swans.’ Beautiful and distinguished, the group included grande dame Barbara ‘Babe’ Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, and Lee Radziwill. Enchanted and captivated by these doyennes, Capote ingratiated himself into their lives, befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets.
When an excerpt from the book Answered Prayers, Capote’s planned magnum opus, was published in Esquire, it effectively destroyed his relationship with his swans, banished him from the high society he so loved and sent him into a spiral of self-destruction from which he would ultimately never recover.”
FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans premieres with the release of the first two episodes on January 31, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT. New episodes of the eight-episode season arrive on Wednesdays.
The Exorcist sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, didn’t wow horror fans or critics in 2022. 20th Century Studios is hoping for a better reception for their The Omen prequel, The First Omen. The minute-long official trailer suggests that “to control those who don’t believe, create something to fear.” That warning comes as snippets of nuns, priests, and other characters are shown moving in reverse.
The first trailer’s release was accompanied by the debut of the teaser poster.
Servant‘s Nell Tiger Free stars in the psychological horror film, which is based on characters created in The Omen by author David Seltzer. The cast also includes Tawfeek Barhom (Mary Magdalene), Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ralph Ineson (The Northman), and Bill Nighy (Living).
Arkasha Stevenson directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Smith and Keith Thomas (story by Ben Jacoby). David S. Goyer and Keith Levine served as producers, with Smith, Whitney Brown, and Gracie Wheelan executive producing.
Poster for ‘The First Omen’ from 20th Century Studios
“When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate,” reads 20th Century Studios’ synopsis.
The original film opened in June 1976 and grossed $60+ million during its theatrical run. The R-rated horror film earned two Oscar nominations, winning for Best Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith). It was also nominated for a WGA award, a Grammy, and a BAFTA award. Damien: Omen II followed in June 1978, with Omen III: The Final Conflict premiering in 1981. The fourth film, Omen IV: The Awakening, debuted in 1991.
An unsuccessful remake was released in 2006 with Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles taking over the lead roles. The story of the son of the Devil also made its way to television in A&E’s 2016 series Damien starring Bradley James in the title role.
The First Omen opens in theaters on April 5, 2024.
Juno Temple as Dorothy “Dot” Lyon and Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman in ‘Fargo’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo CR: Michelle Faye/FX)
FX’s Fargo season five episode eight begins with Danish Graves (Dave Foley) scanning his handwritten Debtors of North Dakota ledger and selecting three men – Marlin Everett, John Sasquatch, and Blew Noyes – all white and about 6’ tall. Graves takes the three men to the North Dakota Court Services and officially has their names changed. To what isn’t disclosed yet, but all three now have the same legal name.
You wouldn’t expect Dot (Juno Temple) to go quietly as Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm) tries to check her out of the hospital, and she doesn’t disappoint. Instead of signing her name, she writes “Help Me” on the release form. She’s unsuccessful in stealing the pen but succeeds in snagging a paper clip without Roy noticing.
Roy threatens to put the nurse’s brother back in jail if she tries to stop him from completing the sign-out process.
Dot is almost saved from being hauled away by her abusive first husband when North Dakota Deputy Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris) steps into the hospital waiting room. Witt immediately realizes Dot’s in danger, but Dot refuses to go with him, worried that if she tries Roy will kill the deputy.
Before Roy drags her away, Dot whispers to Witt, “Tell Wayne I’ll be there soon.”
Witt calls Minnesota Police Deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani) and fills her in on what just went down, describing Dot’s demeanor as that of a trapped animal. Indira, who’s having a bad morning after being forced to evict an elderly couple as part of her job, doesn’t think the FBI will be much help since they never return phone calls.
Roy takes Dot back to the ranch and chains her up in an empty outbuilding. He claims she broke her vow; Dot says he broke multiple bones, including three ribs. After a minute of pulling on her chains, Dot changes tactics and begs to be let go to take care of her daughter. Plus, they’re getting kittens next year, and she’s in love with the most wonderful man who happens to be her best friend. Who will remind him to take Lactaid when he eats cheese?
Dot points out Gator was almost her age – 15 – when she was forced into marrying Roy, but Roy doesn’t care. She’s his property, no matter what’s happened in the years since she escaped.
“I promise to let you go as soon as you beg me to let you stay and mean it,” says Roy.
Dot makes her own promise. She promises to kill him.
Karen enters the building with minimal supplies for Dot, including a cot and a bucket to use as a restroom. She slaps Dot across the face, warning her never to open her mouth in her presence. As Karen makes a quick exit, Dot realizes Roy’s third wife is obviously much more accepting of Roy’s abuse and lifestyle.
After they leave, Dot sets to work trying to free herself using the paper clip. She gets a bolt loose and uses a piece of the metal cot as a saw on her chains, freeing one of her legs.
Indira’s rotten day continues when she returns home earlier than expected and catches her no-good husband with another woman. She finally does what she should have done years ago and kicks him out of her house – and her life.
Meanwhile, Roy Tillman and his family arrive at the 2019 Stark County Election Debate. He’s greeted with applause by the crowd packed into the auditorium but is stunned when he steps on the stage and discovers three men (the ones who legally had their names changed) assembled behind podiums next to his.
The men are all Roy Tillmans but with different middle names.
Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman in ‘Fargo’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo CR: Michelle Faye/FX)
Roy attempts to take charge of the debate, but it quickly slips away from him. The first question is about spending $500,000 on unnecessary military equipment, including a tank. His claims that he’s all about preparedness and defense are echoed by the three Roys, who go on to mimic his words and gestures. The audience laughs at Roy’s increasing discomfort as he tosses his podium aside – as do the Roys.
He storms off the stage, calling the whole thing a travesty. Photographers ask for a photo of all the Roy Tillmans, and that pushes Roy over the edge. He pushes one photographer away and then punches the female moderator in the face.
Danish Graves appears proud of what he’s pulled off, making his exit as chaos erupts in the auditorium behind him.
Back at the farm, Dot’s temporarily forced to stop trying to escape when Gator (Joe Keery) puts in an appearance. He demands to know what she told the FBI, and Dot says she didn’t say anything. Dot seems to still be under the delusion that she met with Gator’s mom, Linda, and she assures him Linda’s fine and never meant to abandon him.
Gator refuses to believe her, and Dot reacts by pointing out his dad refused to name him Roy Jr, even though he’s the fifth boy in a long line of firstborn Roys and the only one without the name. Dot reveals that it’s because Roy thought he was a loser from the moment he was born.
Gator hopes Dot dies without ever seeing her daughter again.
Witt arrives at the ranch’s front gate and is met by an angry Gator who refuses to allow the deputy onto the property. Gator gives the order to shoot Witt if he returns.
Danish reports in to Lorraine Lyon that the operation was a success; they’ve effectively ruined Roy’s shot at re-election. And as fate would have it, Witt’s passing the gas station where Danish is pulled over. Witt explains that Dot’s being held against her will at the Tillman ranch, and she needs help.
Witt’s called away, but before he takes off, he warns Danish to do something fast. “I don’t know how long she’s got,” says Witt.
Danish appears conflicted about what to do next and decides not to call Lorraine with an update.
Roy and family arrive back at the ranch after the debate debacle, and Karen suggests this is all Dot’s fault. She’s brought a curse down upon their family and is rubbing her sins in their faces.
”Toxic” plays in the background as Roy steps out of the vehicle without saying a word and sets out on a long (as in two minutes) walk to the outbuilding where Dot’s chained up, face fixed in a grimace the entire length of the walk. Once inside, he beats her – the beating takes place off-screen, but the audio and the shot of Dot’s face afterward reveal the brutality of the attack.
Roy stands over Dot, and she warns him it’s his last chance to let her go. Roy appears unconcerned by her threat and Dot channels her inner tiger, wrapping her chain around his neck. An intense struggle ensues, but Dot’s physically no match for the towering Roy.
Dot rolls around the floor, avoiding Roy’s attempts at whipping her with the chain. She picks up the piece of metal she worked loose from the cot but it’s no use because Roy’s a massive man and much stronger, even though she’s fueled by rage. The foreman interrupts with news that Danish Graves is at the gate. Before he leaves, Roy grabs Dot by the throat and snarls, “Only one way you’re getting out of here…”
Dot swears she’ll escape, the same as Linda. Roy handcuffs Dot to the bed and assures her she’ll wind up buried right next to Linda. Dot doesn’t want to accept that Linda’s dead, and Roy’s admission jars her.
Following Roy’s departure to meet with Danish, Dot breaks a small window and screams out, “I’m here!” Suddenly, she falls silent as she stares at the windmill. It’s the same one where she dug up the box with Linda’s postcard in episode seven. Scenes from her imagined visit with Linda at Camp Utopia play through her head, and she’s forced to accept that was all just a dream.
Danish pulls up to the big house and doesn’t answer his phone before meeting with Roy. Danish admits he was behind the Roys at the debate, and warns Roy that as it stands now, he’ll lose his re-election and might be charged with assault. However, Danish can make all his problems disappear – and fix the election – if Roy returns Dot.
Danish believes this is a good deal and that Roy should take it. Roy responds by shooting Danish in the stomach. He finishes him off with another shot.
Night falls and Indira arrives at the Lyon estate, done with her previous life. She takes the job Lorraine offered and informs her new boss that Witt found Dot, and she’s currently being held against her will at the Tillman ranch. (Indira doesn’t know Danish went to see Roy.) Lorraine tells Indira her new job starts immediately.
The episode ends with a truck carrying Danish’s dead body pulling up to the windmill as Dot watches from captivity. A secret compartment below a metal container is opened, and Danish’s body is unceremoniously dumped into the hole. Dot sinks down to her knees, and for the first time in the season, she appears almost defeated.
* * * * * * * *
New Fargo season five episodes air on FX on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
A&E’s new clip from Casey Anthony’s Parents: The Lie Detector Test features Casey’s dad, George, hooked up to a polygraph machine. George appears a bit confused and fidgety as he’s asked about Caylee Anthony’s body.
George and his wife, Cindy, agreed to participate in polygraph examinations in order to clear their names following renewed accusations by their daughter, Casey. The two-hour special featuring the lie detector tests will air on A&E and Lifetime on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT.
George and Cindy Anthony (Photo Credit – Mary Beth Koeth, Courtesy of A&E)
“Casey Anthony’s Parents: The Lie Detector Test dives into the new accusations against George, the latest twist in a story that started with Caylee’s disappearance in June 2008 and triggered a nationwide media frenzy,” reads A&E’s synopsis.
“Caylee’s death was ruled a homicide when her remains were discovered in a wooded area near the Anthony’s home the following December. Casey was charged in connection with Caylee’s murder and, following a fiery trial, was acquitted of murder charges in July 2011, though the court of public opinion holds strong views that justice was not done for Caylee. Cindy and George Anthony have had a tempestuous relationship with their daughter with stunning accusations leveled by both sides over the years. As old wounds are ripped open again, will the polygraph tests finally bring closure?”
Retired FBI Agent George Olivo administered the lie detector tests. Olivo was a Senior Polygraph Examiner for the LA division of the FBI and has administered thousands of tests over the course of his lengthy career.
The true crime special was executive produced by Matt Sprouse, Erica Hanson, Sam Dean, and Lauren Ranzino for York & Wilder. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro, and Brad Abramson served as executive producers for A&E.
Two-time Emmy winner Zendaya wished everyone “the most beautiful new year” while sharing the poster for her upcoming movie Challengers on Instagram. The R-rated drama finds Zendaya playing a tennis coach caught up in a love triangle with Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown).
Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino, director of 2015’s A Bigger Splash, 2017’s Call Me by Your Name, 2018’s Suspiria, and 2022’s Bones and All, directed Challengers from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film was originally set to open in theaters on September 15, 2023, but was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Amazon MGM Studios is now targeting an April 26, 2024 theatrical release.
“Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend,” reads MGM’s synopsis. “As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.”
Zendaya, Guadagnino, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor served as producers. Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich executive produce, with music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Zendaya will next be seen reprising her role as Chani opposite Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two, arriving on March 1st. Chalamet was nominated for an Oscar for his lead performance in Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name, and reunited with the director for the cannibal love story Bones and All.
Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas in ‘Slow Horses,’ now streaming on Apple TV+)
Apple TV+ has given the critically acclaimed spy drama Slow Horses an early season five renewal just days after the season three finale premiered. The previously announced fourth season will be adapted from the fourth novel, Spook Street, of Mick Herron’s Slough House book series. Season five will be adapted from Herron’s London Rules novel.
“In season five of Slow Horses, everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho has a glamorous new girlfriend, but when a series of increasingly bizarre events occur across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected,” reads Apple TV+’s synopsis. “After all, Lamb knows that in the world of espionage, ‘London Rules’ should always apply.”
Oscar winner Gary Oldman returns to head up the cast as Jackson Lamb, the “brilliant but cantankerous leader of the spies, who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes as they frequently find themselves blundering around the smoke and mirrors of the espionage world.” Oscar nominee Kristin Scott Thomas, BAFTA Scotland Award winner Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Samuel West, Sophie Okonedo, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Kadiff Kirwan, and Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce also star.
The series premiered in April 2022, with season two following in December 2022. The six-episode third season kicked off in November 2023. Apple TV+ hasn’t announced a premiere date for season four.
Will Smith (from Veep, not the Oscar-winning actor) adapted the series and serves as an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Douglas Urbanski, Gail Mutrux, Julian Stevens, and Graham Yost.
A director for season five has yet to be confirmed.
Slow Horses currently sits at 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The series has been nominated for five BAFTA Awards, and Oldman earned a Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Drama nomination from the Golden Globes.
The first teaser trailer for 9-1-1 season seven has a real Titanic vibe. The 30-second video shows a ship in distress but doesn’t confirm that Athena (Angela Bassett) and Bobby (Peter Krause) are on board. However, given their history, there’s a 99.9% likelihood the twosome’s honeymoon plans will come to an abrupt – and watery – end.
At the end of season six, the couple decided to spend their honeymoon on a cruise without telling any of their friends. And so, of course, the new season will begin with a dramatic rescue at sea.
Season seven marks the show’s move from Fox to ABC. The new season kicks off on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT.
“Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC,” stated Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group when the move was announced in May 2023. “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.”
In addition to Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, the series stars Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall, Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley, Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han, Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz, and Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz. Bassett, Krause, Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray, Kristen Reidel, and Juan Carlos Coto executive produce.
‘9-1-1’ season 7 poster (Disney)
“The series explores the high-pressure experiences of first responders — including police officers, firefighters and dispatchers — who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives,” reads ABC’s synopsis. “The show draws from real-life, high-pressure experiences of first responders who regularly face heart-stopping situations that are often unpredictable, intense, and uplifting at the same time.”
Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc and Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir Hamed in ‘Transplant’ season 3 episode 9 (Photo by: Van Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)
NBC’s Transplant kicks off 2024 with season three episode nine, “Rumination.” Airing on Thursday, January 4th at 9pm ET/PT, episode nine finds Bash taking a different approach to dealing with his PTSD.
Hamza Haq leads the cast as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed and Sirena Gulamgaus stars as Amira. Rekha Sharma plays Dr. Neeta Devi, Laurence Leboeuf is Dr. Magalie “Mags” Leblanc, and Ayisha Issa stars as Dr. June Curtis. Jim Watson plays Dr. Theo Hunter, Torri Higginson is Claire Malone, and Gord Rand is Dr. Mark Novak.
“Rumination” Plot: Bash’s psychiatrist suggests an unusual form of therapy to help with his PTSD. Mags counsels an irascible patient in a similar health situation to her own. Theo finds himself in an awkward spot with a patient’s mother. June reaches a breaking point between her personal and professional lives.
Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir Hamed, Susanna Fournier as Van, and Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc in the “Rumination” episode (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)
The Season 3 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:
The new season finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Haq) continuing his journey to start over, but with each new milestone comes a new challenge. While pursuing Canadian citizenship for himself and his younger sister, Amira (Gulamgaus), Bash closely examines who he’s becoming in his adopted country.
Still being asked repeatedly to prove himself, Bash works closely with his colleagues as they move forward following the dramatic conclusion of season two. Everyone continues to find themselves looking to adapt to change and understand how they fit in, both within and beyond the walls of York Memorial Hospital.
After Dr. Bishop’s (John Hannah) sudden departure, the team gains a new boss with the forward-thinking Dr. Neeta Devi. Dr. Devi has big ideas when it comes to overhauling the emergency department at York Memorial.
Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis and Sugith Varughese as Dr. Aajay Singh in season 3 episode 9 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)Karl Graboshas as Reid and Jim Watson as Dr. Theo Hunter in season 3 episode 9 (Photo by: Sphere Media/CTV)Sugith Varughese as Dr. Aajay Singh and Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis in season 3 episode 9 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc and Rekha Sharma as Dr. Neeta Devi in season 3 episode 9 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)Tonjha Richardson as Violet, Gina James as Shay, and Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis in the “Rumination” episode (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV)
Rachel McAdams as Barbara Dimon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ (Photo Credit: Dana Hawley)
As we get ready to close out 2023, it’s time to look back at the films that entertained us and left a lasting impression. It was the year of Barbie vs. Oppenheimer (affectionately referred to as “Barbenheimer”) battling for the summer box office, and The Flash with Michael Keaton returning as the Caped Crusader in a film that fell short of reviving the DC movie franchise. A classic coming-of-age story from the 1970s finally found its way to the screen, and 2023 also served up yet another delightful adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel.
The following Top 10 Films of 2023 represent my personal favorites of the year. These films, from a wide range of genres, mesmerized me and reminded audiences of the magic of movies.
10) AIR Starring Matt Damon, Viola Davis, and Ben Affleck
The somewhat true account of how NIKE signed up-and-coming NBA superstar Michael Jordan to promote their basketball sneaker line is a classic underdog story with outstanding performances by Damon, Davis, and Jason Bateman. Ben Affleck successfully returned to the director’s chair and also delivered a compelling performance.
Air captures a slice of the American dream and reveals the lengths people are willing to go to to achieve it.
9) GUY RITCHIE’S THE COVENANT Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim
Filmmaker Guy Ritchie’s gritty and powerful war thriller about loyalty and the bonds between two men who serve in combat together is a realistic look at war, with two strong performances delivered by Gyllenhaal and Salim. The excellent camerawork gives the film a docudrama feel during the battle scenes, which adds to the film’s tension.
8) SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE Starring Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld
Visually dazzling with intense action and beautiful 3D/2D animation, the bigger and more ambitious sequel follows the further adventures of Miles and his friend Gwen. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, this entry in the Spider-Man franchise is one of the best animated films of 2023 and also one of the most entertaining movies of the year.
7) A HAUNTING IN VENICE Starring Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, and Kelly Reilly
This third entry in actor/filmmaker Kenneth Branagh’s adaptations of author Agatha Christie novels is the best yet, with Branagh returning as master detective Hercule Poirot in a slick, gothic murder mystery where everyone, even an old friend, is a suspect. The film is perfectly balanced between being a murder mystery and haunted house thriller. Add the top-notch performances of Branagh, Fey, and Reilly, and the striking production design, and Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice proves Christie’s writing still provides fascinating fodder for films.
6) MIGRATION Starring Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks
This funny, sweet, and visually breathtaking film follows a family of ducks making their first trip south for the winter, with a helicopter dad overreacting most of the way. It’s an absolute delight for the entire family and has an excellent cast of actors bringing the lovable characters to life.
In my opinion, Migration is not just one of the best films of the year but also ranks as one of the best films to come from Illumination.
5) THE IRON CLAW Starring Zac Efron, Harris Dickinson, Jeremy Allen White, and Holt McCallany
Based on the real-life story of the Von Erich family, a family of professional wrestlers ruled over by patriarch Fritz Von Erich (McCallany), the film captures the love, competitiveness, drive, and devotion the brothers have for each other. It also showcases the turbulent and toxic relationship they share with their father. It’s a powerful and tragic story beautifully acted and well told.
Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance
4) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING, PART ONE Starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, and Simon Pegg
Ethan Hunt and his IMF team are back in what can only be described as a near-perfect action film, complete with jaw-dropping stunts, thrilling action scenes, and beautiful locations. The genuine chemistry that Cruise, Rhames, Pegg, and Ferguson have on screen makes the film that much more entertaining. Dead Reckoning, Part One snags the title of the best action film of the year.
3) OPPENHEIMER Starring Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt
Filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s might be a little too long, but nevertheless, it’s an intriguing and powerful historical epic about the father of the atomic bomb and what became of him after his success. Oppenheimer’s a must-watch for the remarkable performance by Cillian Murphy as the titular character. Murphy perfectly captures the complexity of the man who knew he was a genius but still craved – and demanded – respect and adoration.
And, of course, Robert Downey Jr.’s a scene-stealer as career politician Lewis Strauss.
2) THE HOLDOVERS Starring Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa
Director Alexander Payne reunites with his Sideways star Paul Giamatti for the feel-good story, The Holdovers. Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, an ancient history teacher who’s stuck babysitting a handful of students at a New England boarding school during the Christmas break.
The Holdovers is both a coming-of-age story and a triumph of friendship over isolation, disappointment, and even death. Giamatti is at his very best and will hopefully be remembered during Oscar season as the tough, curmudgeonly instructor who slowly builds a bond with a troubled student struggling with his own family drama.
1) ARE YOU THERE GOD? ITS ME, MARGARET Starring Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson
Finally, 50+ years after it was published, the beloved Judy Blume book comes to the big screen – and it was more than worth the wait. Abby Ryder Fortson shines as 11-year-old Margaret who is dealing with moving, making new friends, and trying to understand God and her relationship with religion. Fortson portrays Margaret as a sweet, fairly innocent girl who really just wants to fit in among her peers.
Rachel McAdams delivers one of the best performances of her career as Margaret’s mom, Barbara, a loving and supportive parent who’s adjusting to being a stay-at-home parent while putting her paint brushes away and burying her lifelong passion for art. McAdams is pitch-perfect and has real chemistry with Fortson.
With the excellent production design capturing the 1970s, McAdams and Fortson’s fantastic performances, and Hans Zimmer’s compelling score, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret captured the top spot on my list of the Best Films of 2023.
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ episode 8 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
After a brief visit back in time to a discussion between Bill Randa (Anders Holm) and Keiko Miura (Mari Yamamoto), Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode eight catches up with Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell) and Duvall (Elisa Lasowski) in 2015 as they head to a target in Kazakhstan.
But don’t get comfortable in the more modern era, as the first half of this episode recap is going to concentrate on the events of 1955.
Lee (Wyatt Russell), Keiko, and Bill meet with Lt. Hatch in Washington DC. He’s unimpressed with their latest work on gamma rays and thinks they’re wasting money on a ridiculous project. If a Godzilla-type monster shows its face, the U.S. will take care of him with a nuke. Hatch wonders why, after two years of throwing money into Monarch, there aren’t any new monster sightings.
Hatch believes the money should be used to ferret out hostile agents instead of chasing imaginary monsters. And speaking of hostile agents, do they have one in their midst? He’s very suspicious of Keiko and has no idea how she ever qualified for a top-secret clearance.
Bill, Lee, and Keiko realize that Hatch is going to write a negative report that will likely affect Monarch’s funding. To save Monarch, Lee suggests they tell Hatch that Godzilla isn’t dead. (They’ve been keeping his reappearance a secret.) Sure, the government will go after Godzilla again, but at least their funding won’t be pulled.
Bill and Keiko disagree, so Lee proposes that they draw Hatch a map of where the Titans are hiding since he’s so anxious to see more monsters. They have just three days to take all their research and put together a package that will convince General Puckett and the other senior officers that Monarch is doing important work.
Bill and Keiko put their heads together, with Keiko instructing Bill to remove anything that’s not a confirmed sighting from the map. He does so, but very reluctantly.
Mari Yamamoto and Anders Holm in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ episode 8 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Bill’s still hard at work trying to figure out what they’re missing on the map when suddenly an ant crawls through a hole in the paper. Bill has an epiphany and heads to Keiko’s place, too excited to wait until tomorrow to share his discovery.
Keiko’s shocked when he pounds on her door and begs Bill to keep his voice down. She won’t tell him why, but Bill’s so bursting with news that he doesn’t question what’s going on. He explains the ants showed him what he was missing – the Titans live underground in another realm that exists together but separate from our world! That allows them to move around the planet without being seen.
Keiko says that’s a brilliant idea but doesn’t have time to say anything else before a little boy pops in and says, “Mama.” She introduces Bill to Hiroshi, and now it’s Bill’s turn to be shocked.
Keiko explains she requested to do her post-graduate work at Berkeley so Hiroshi would have better opportunities. She was surprised at how long it took to save the money to bring him to America, but he’s been here for six months now. Keiko confesses she wanted to tell him and Lee. She didn’t because of how she’s been treated being a woman and Japanese. If the officers had discovered that she was a widow raising a child, they never would have let her work at Monarch.
Bill insists he – and Monarch – have her back.
Elsewhere, Lee Shaw has an urgent meeting with General Puckett about Monarch’s funding. Puckett believes Hatch’s report is correct and that there’s no reason to continue funneling money to Monarch. Lee hands him Bill and Keiko’s map, showing potential Titan threats Monarch is currently assessing. When Puckett doesn’t change his mind, Lee informs the general that they did not kill Godzilla.
Puckett moves their chat into a private room, and Lee confirms he saw Godzilla with his own eyes. Finally, Puckett agrees to look at the map while Lee emphasizes the map came from Keiko and Bill – not from Hatch. Hatch had nothing to do with it, and it wasn’t included in his report.
Lee asks Puckett to agree that Keiko and Bill’s authority over Monarch’s scientific operations will remain unchallenged. Puckett confirms that’s the case.
Ren Watabe and Kiersey Clemons in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ episode 8 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Worlds Collide in 2015
Meanwhile, Duvall, Lee, and their team arrive at the Kazakhstan location, which is where Keiko fell into the pit of endoswarmers all those years ago. Lee says whatever is inside the building won’t be for the faint of heart.
Tim (Joe Tippett) takes Cate (Anna Sawai), May (Kiersey Clemons), and Kentaro (Ren Watabe) to Monarch, which isn’t as impressive as they expected. But Tim’s got a card up his sleeve and shows them Monarch’s inner sanctum. “Now, this is more like it,” responds May.
Monarch outposts all across the globe are picking up gamma-ray bursts reminiscent of G-Day in locations Hiroshi has visited. Deputy Director Verdugo (Mirelly Taylor) doesn’t know whether Hiroshi’s following the bursts or predicting them.
Verdugo reveals that after Shaw set off explosions in the Alaska rift, the gamma-ray emissions there dropped. However, they increased at other locations. If Shaw lets loose with more explosives, the world could have another G-Day on its hands.
Time is running short, and Monarch’s options are limited, so Verdugo needs Cate and Kentaro to think about where they believe Shaw will head next. They saw their dad’s map and may have better insight into Lee’s plans than anyone at Monarch does.
The Scooby gang heads to Tim’s office, which just happens to be the same one Keiko and Bill shared back in the day. Tim believes there’s something in all the paperwork he’s kept (he’s pretty much a hoarder) that could help them find Lee’s next location. Tim’s certain there’s a direct line from Hiroshi’s map to the current gamma-ray readings.
Cate discovers a report on Keiko being lost during field duties, a report that declares her missing and presumed dead. The report was signed by Lee Shaw. Since Keiko died in Kazakhstan, the group believes that’s where Lee is headed next. Verdugo is skeptical, but Cate insists that Lee is a sentimental guy and that he spoke of Keiko as if he was in love with her. Tim’s certain Lee’s rewriting the past, which means Kazakhstan has got to be the next target.
Verdugo decides only a small team can go, and Cate, May, and Tim volunteer. She agrees, saying, “Sure. Why not? I always thought Goonies deserved a sequel.”
Kentaro’s a reluctant member of the team, unsure if he wants to continue to follow their dad. He ultimately agrees to go with them to Kazakhstan, but not because of their dad.
A small team of Monarch personnel joins the gang to protect them from anything dangerous. Cate’s worried that if Shaw sees armed “monster nerds,” he won’t let them get close. Kentaro and Cate truly believe Lee wants them there to take over the family business and won’t hurt them, so they refuse bulletproof vests.
Ren Watabe, Anna Sawai, and Kiersey Clemons in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ episode 8 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
They arrive at the location, and it’s clear Lee’s group blasted its way into the building. Tim, Cate, Kentaro, and May step through the hole behind three armed Monarch personnel. The radiation reading inside is bad-adjacent – similar to a chest X-ray. Tim notes this building was supposed to be uninhabitable, but apparently, something is absorbing the radiation.
They make their way through the building with just flashlights guiding the way. Tim nearly faints when he steps on a creature. Fortunately, it’s only an exoskeleton. Dozens of them can be seen in the immediate vicinity. Cate points out that animals molt when they’re growing, which isn’t what anyone in the group wants to hear.
They continue to head toward the reactor and to where Keiko was last seen alive. Cate’s sure that’s where Lee will be.
The hole Keiko fell into is still there, but now it’s obvious that it extends thousands of feet into the earth. Tim calls it a portal/entry point to “tinfoil-hat land,” and Kentaro wonders if maybe Shaw’s plan to close it isn’t actually a good idea after all.
There are enough charges set up around the perimeter of the hole to bring down the entire building. As they’re taking a closer look, Duvall and her team surround them at gunpoint, ordering them to step away from the explosives.
Duvall reminds Tim he’s not cut out for fieldwork, and Cate finally speaks up, demanding to see Lee Shaw. Lee shows up at the mention of his name and agrees to speak only to Cate. Lee believes Godzilla isn’t a mindless destructive force. Instead, he’s guarding a world below us that Lee knows exists because he visited it a long time ago.
Monarch doesn’t believe him, but Cate says she does. She wants to know what he saw, and words fail Lee. However, he learned that Keiko was right about needing to keep Godzilla alive. Godzilla is keeping us safe by keeping the Titans in their own world.
Lee is determined to seal off every portal, but Cate wonders if he’s not actually making things worse. Gammy rays spike in other locations when he closes off a portal.
Lee refuses to believe that, suggesting Monarch’s misinterpreting the data. It’s more important to believe in the work than it is to overanalyze data. Lee thinks Keiko would want this, too, and Cate knows all this is to make up for losing her.
Lee agrees but also points out it’s impossible to actually make up for her loss. However, closing the portals will honor the work Bill and Keiko did.
Suddenly, the earth begins to rumble just as Lee has the explosives begin their two-minute countdown. Duvall yells that something’s coming and everyone makes for the exits, except May who turns back to fetch Cate. Unfortunately, May slips into the pit and falls. Cate stops to try and help her just as a Titan roars up from underground.
Cate’s on the verge of tumbling into the hole when Lee grabs her hand, screaming at her to hold on. She’s still holding Lee’s hand when they both plummet toward the other realm.
The final scene of episode eight shows the building going up in a massive explosion.
